A seabird monitoring programme on Mangaia, initiated in mid-2025, is beginning to provide valuable insights into the island’s seabird populations and their breeding habitats, with a particular focus on petrel and shearwater species.
Through the use of acoustic song meters deployed at selected sites across Mangaia, the project has recorded encouraging numbers of tropical shearwaters around the Pa’ata Lookout (MANG01). Preliminary findings indicate that the species is actively breeding in the area, with its nesting season running approximately from November through to March.
The monitoring has also detected occasional Tahiti petrels, although these appear to be passing through Mangaia rather than remaining in the area for extended periods.
Another monitoring site at the Makatea area of Saragossa, initially considered a potentially suitable habitat for wedge-tailed shearwaters and Polynesian storm petrels, has so far produced no seabird detections. Instead, monitoring has highlighted the presence of goats and rats, both of which can create unfavourable conditions for seabird nesting.
The success of this work has been supported through the collaboration of Te Ipukarea Society (TIS) and the National Environment Service (NES). NES assistance has been particularly important in supporting the monitoring programme on Mangaia, with NES Pa Enua Officer Tangimama Harry providing local coordination and assistance throughout the project.
Special acknowledgement is also given to the staff of Te Ipukarea Society, particularly Alana Smith, who has worked alongside Tangimama from the beginning of the project. Their continued collaboration, field support and commitment have helped establish an important foundation for ongoing seabird monitoring on Mangaia.
These preliminary findings demonstrate the value of combining local knowledge, community-based support and acoustic monitoring to better understand and protect Mangaia’s seabird populations and their habitats.
